Doctor Who Christmas episode trailer unveiled on Children In Need

The first glimpse of this year’s Doctor Who Christmas special – featuring new sidekick Jenna-Louise Coleman – was seen on Children In Need on Friday night.

Jenna-Louise Coleman was seen as the Doctor’s new sidekick Clara in the trailer for the Christmas episode (Picture: PA)

Star Matt Smith appeared with Coleman on the telethon to introduce the clip, while it was also revealed that the episode will be entitled The Snowmen.

And it soon became obvious why, with the brief preview hinting at fanged snowmen coming to life, as well as peril within the actual snow itself.

The Victorian-set episode also revealed the origins of Coleman’s character Clara, as well as offering a glimpse at Richard E Grant in villainous form.

A trio of quirky detectives also featured in a mini-prequel to the episode set in Victorian London (Picture: PA)

A prequel episode entitled The Great Detective was also revealed on Friday night – which saw the Doctor telling an over-enthusiastic detective trio in the same Victorian setting that he had retired, setting up a possible plot twist for the Christmas special.

The Christmas episode will mark the second time that Coleman – who has replaced Karen Gillan in the role of the Doctor’s sidekick – has appeared in the show.

The actress made a brief surprise appearance in the first episode of series seven. Asylum Of The Daleks, which was screened in the summer.

The episode, entitled The Snowmen, features some creepy winter characters (Picture: BBC)

Smith recently said that the episode would fit right into the Christmas viewing schedules.

‘It does the sort of wonderful Doctor Who-ey Christmas things,’ he said.

‘You know, snow, aliens, good will, good cheer, somebody trying to take over the world. Hopefully it makes for good Christmas Day telly.’